Comments on: Core Training is a waste of time.

By: Build Muscles

Build Muscles — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:03:10 +0000

I am currently recovering from an illness that I’ve been suffering for the past year or so. It’s called Crunchers Disease. Crunchers Disease is a horrible malady that I have recently diagnosed myself with while training with a TKD fighter. You might have this disease if all you do for abs are bodyweight crunches, situps, leg lifts, and various other high rep exercises that focus mostly on the abs and hip flexors.

Because of articles like this, I am experiencing what I like to think of as a re-enlightenment, wherein I am again aware of the fact that you don’t get a concrete core by doing bodyweight crunches. It is time to move forward in our ab training by including moves like get ups, overhead lunges, and zerchers. Great post.

By: cmason

cmason — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:27:29 +0000

To be honest, I think the title could’ve been better chosen as well. Like many of me other articles, I wrote this when I was in bit of a mood to provoke and chose it accordingly. It’s crossed my mind before that it doesn’t really accurately reflect my thoughts though.

Thanks for the feedback, it’s always good to hear opinions on my rambling.

By: Greg Alario

Greg Alario — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:25:59 +0000

I like your site, and your attitude. I disagree with the title but agree with the article. True core training, done in and integrated, and balanced approach has many benefits. What the fitness community views as core training, is, as you have stated, completely distorted, and nothing more than a pursuit of ripped abs, to be sexy. In the pursuit of health, daily exercise is needed. Heavy training has it’s place but is only beneficial and capable of continually progressing if it is balanced with the needed recovery and regeneration.

Whether done on off days, or incorporated as part of your workouts, balanced , integrated, true core training is needed for optimal performance ability.

With all the ignorance in the fitness and health community, I think a rant now and again is good for the soul.

Keep up the good work, my brother.

By: cmason

cmason — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:15:32 +0000

Yup. I’m famailar with these, hadn’t heard that abbreviation before. I might start using that, since any latin anatomical name usually requires extensive spellchecking before use.

By: Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:08:30 +0000

Transverse Abdominus. abdonimis? I dunno, but its the muscle fibers that wrap around your internal organs and spine horizontally like a girdle. it just makes it easier to say- so you can throw around that fancy PT lingo and impress your friends.

mine usually just tell me to shut up.

But those are the deepest muscles, you “core muscles” then your rectus admonimis are the 6-pack muscles on top that run vertically, and then you have a bunch more that run diagonally for your obliques

By: cmason

cmason — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:07:58 +0000

I agree – the title “Core Training Is a Waste of Time” was more intended as an attention grabber than anything. I don’t think core work is worthless, but that the way most people go about it IS a massive waste of time and effort.

I’m not sure I know the TVA acronym though.
What does that stand for?

By: Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:48:32 +0000

well, crunches only work the superficial muscles anyway- the rectus abdominus. The core muscle are the transverse abdominus, so someone that says they do crunches for their core doesnt know what they are talking about anyway.

all you gotta do to strengthen your core is focus on TVA when you lift. Think belly button pulled into spine, and hips tipped backwards- thats it.

By: David at Animal-Kingdom-Workouts

David at Animal-Kingdom-Workouts — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:38:02 +0000

I agree with you. When you perform an isolation movement like crunches, you’re not working your body as a whole. This does not help you transfer power from one section of your body to another.

I think you did a good job in the videos, btw.

Cheers,

Dave

By: Son of Grok

Son of Grok — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:34:35 +0000

I can’t disagree with that. Who really likes doing thousands of crunches anyways? I get a kick out of everyone talking about “core strength” and the imporantce of “working the core”. The fact of the matter is if you are working out right (compound movements and such) then your “core” is gettting plenty of work as it is! So throw away the ab twister and pick up a parbell for some heavy front squats or deadlifts. Good post Chris and I like the new look of the site!

The SoG